Platinum

By Adreian

Platinum

By Adreian

History and Uses

Used by the pre-Columbians of South America, it wasn't noticed by western scientists until 1735. Platinum can occur free in nature and is sometimes found in deposits of gold-bearing sands, primarily in the Ural Mountains, Columbia and the western United States. It is used to make jewelry, wire, electrical contracts, and laboratory vessels. Platinum is also used to coat missile nose cones, jet engine fuel nozzels and other devices that must operate reliably for long periods of time at high temperatures. It is also used to prevent ships, pipelines, and steel piers from corroding in salt water. It is mainly used as Catalysts.